Arizona Auto Glass Etching: Prevent Car Theft in Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona, achieves #4 in the list of top 10 cities with the highest vehicle theft! (2004 National Insurance Crime Bureau [NICB])
In 2002, Phoenix Arizona had the highest car theft rate in the United States, with the vast majority occurring in Maricopa and Pima Counties. According to the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA), “a vehicle theft occurs every nine minutes and 16 seconds.” This causes an estimated economic loss of $3.7M to residents of Arizona in 2002 alone!
Do not become another statistic!
Residents of Phoenix Arizona can help to deter theft by etching your auto glass with traceable numbers. This procedure is highly recommended by the NICB, police departments and insurance companies for effectiveness. Although vehicle manufacturers mark some parts, it is not enough. By permanently installing visible VIN and serial numbers into your vehicle's auto glass, you can greatly reduce auto theft and aid in recovery.
Phoenix residents, you can visit your local auto dealership or Arizona auto glass / window tinting / auto glass repair facility; or you can do it yourself with an etching kit found on many different websites. In addition to auto glass etching, the NICB also recommends other popular visible or audible devices such as audible alarms, steering-column collars and locks, wheel locks, theft-deterrent decals and ID markers on the car.
Arizona Auto glass etching entails chemically marking the automobile with its own unique vehicle identification number (VIN) on all windows, including sunroofs and T-Tops. The chemical process of etching involves using a mild acid that reacts only to the glass. Etching all the glass windows makes the vehicles less wanted by car thieves. The actual etching is small and does not mark or deface the window, but is one of the first details most car thieves see before attempting to steal a vehicle.
The recommended areas to security etch include the following:
- Front Windshield: Drivers side in lower corner by factory VIN number.
- Front Side Windows: Lower corner, near door lock or handle.
- Rear Side Windows: In lower corner towards the middle, lower edge.
These are the following steps for the auto glass etching kit for those handy, do-it-yourself types in Phoenix Arizona:
1. Clean the area that is to be security etched with auto glass cleaner: Remove the blue stencils from the white backing paper and apply to the outside of auto glass in the desired locations. With fingertips, gently "pat" the stencil to ensure that it is in full contact with glass, paying specific attention to the area where the VIN number has been cut into the stencil.
2. Apply a film of etch cream: Brush both left and right completely covering all characters.
3. After etching, and the cream has been on for 5 to 7 minutes: Carefully remove and discard all stencils into a plastic bag or container. Spray etched area with plain water or glass cleaner and wipe dry with paper towel. Repeat process for all windows.
4. Warning decals: Apply to inside of windows in conspicuous locations. Suggested location: near handles on front doors.
5. Complete the Insurance "Proof of Etch" certificate.
However, it is recommended to have this done by a licensed Arizona auto glass professional as this process requires a very steady hand and must be done under optimum conditions. For example: Do not etch glass in direct sunlight on very hot days, or when the temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, avoid days that are very windy, rainy and wet.
Schedule an Appointment Now
The installation team at SunTec Auto Glass maintains the highest level of certification available in the windshield repair and auto glass replacement industry. From headlights to taillights, from the east valley to west valley, whether you are looking to have a windshield replaced or even a side window replaced such as a door glass, quarter glass, or vent glass the team at SunTec Auto Glass can do it. If you live in the greater Phoenix metro area or anywhere in the valley of the sun, look no further. For professional help and premium quality automotive glass, parts and moldings. Contact us today.
Call SunTec Auto Glass Today
(480) 782-5489